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Karl Lacey at the launch yesterday of the 2015 GAA Cúl Camps. Paul Mohan/SPORTSFILE

Karl Lacey spent time with Arsenal and was 'amazed' how GAA training methods compare

The 2012 Footballer of the Year was studying for a Masters in Sports Performance.

LAST DECEMBER KARL Lacey got the chance to immerse himself in a professional sporting environment.

Lacey is one of the leading Gaelic footballers in the game. Four Allstars are proof of his prowess and he was Footballer of the Year after Donegal’s season of glory in 2012.

He’s at the forefront of his sport but spending time with Arsenal, left him ‘amazed’ at where the GAA stands in its links with sports science.

The trip was part of Lacey’s studies in a Masters in Sports Performance at University of Limerick.

An avid Arsenal supporter, Lacey notably received a letter of congratulations from Arsene Wenger after Donegal lifted Sam Maguire in 2012.

“As a player you are always trying to find new ideas, new techniques to make yourself better,” outlined Lacey.

“Fascinating just to see (it). I went over there hoping that I could pick up a few tips.

I was actually amazed to see how far the GAA are in terms of sports science. They are well up there and well ahead of the game.

“From an Arsenal point of view they have more resources, players have more time on their hands to do things, more coaches, more facilities.

“But in terms of preparation, recovery, fitness levels, I think they are very much on par with Gaelic football and hurling.”

Lacey revealed the Irish link he pursued to securing the Arsenal placement.

Scrum coach Jerry Flannery Munster rugby scrum coach Jerry Flannery Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

“Desmond Ryan is head of the academy over there, so from U21 to nine year-old’s. He’s (from) Galway, he was with the IRFU, so I got in contact with him. He was happy for me to (come over).

“Jerry Flannery did the course I was doing, so he spent a year over there. He (Desmond) knew what was involved in the course, so he was happy to take me off the course and into Arsenal.”

Karl Lacey and Conor Clarke Karl Lacey in action recently in the league against Tyrone. Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Lacey completed his Masters in January with his focus now on Donegal’s upcoming championship campaign that starts with an Ulster opener against Tyrone on 17 May.

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6 Comments
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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Aug 10th 2020, 4:07 PM

    Mostly good news all round. There’ll always be a few niggles so it’ll be great to have more or less a full strength team to pick from come next weekend providing andy farrell lets the teams pick who they want.
    Fancy a 23 to look something like

    Killer
    Scannell
    Ryan
    Snyman
    Kleyn
    O mahony
    O donoghue
    Stander
    Murray
    Hanrahan
    Earls
    De Allende
    Farrell
    Conway
    Gallagher

    Loughman
    Marshall
    Knox
    Wycherley
    O donnell
    Casey
    Scannell
    Daly

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    Mute Gareth Ward
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    Aug 10th 2020, 4:13 PM

    @Jim Demps: Would prefer to see Knox in ahead of Ryan from the get go. Beirne and carbery then to come in for kleyn and hanrahan when they are fit.

    Hopefully gallagher is the man to add a bit of spark to the fullback position.

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    Mute David Harkin
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    Aug 10th 2020, 5:09 PM

    @Jim Demps: that’s a strong team. I think the 2 centers are going to rip it up this season.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Aug 10th 2020, 5:13 PM

    @Gareth Ward: both you and Jim’s sides are missing an openside. Cj has a very high tackle count as does JOD but both tackle close to the ruck. Neither really help the backline defence out wide.
    Another problem without joey is a lack of creativity so smash it up the middle and boxkick will be game plan.

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    Mute Gareth Ward
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    Aug 10th 2020, 5:15 PM

    @Chris Mc: Im sure jod can move a few steps to the side. Plenty of turnover treat anyway if o’mahony, stander and beirne are all in the team

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Aug 10th 2020, 5:34 PM

    @Gareth Ward: turnovers has never been Munsters problem. I’m talking about helping the outside backs defend.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Aug 10th 2020, 5:40 PM

    @Chris Mc: it’s grand, we’ll pick up whichever one of the Leinster 7s doesn’t make the big game squads at the end of the season.
    For what it’s worth if Tommy can stay fit he’s as good as any of them. If though.

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    Mute Thomas Bohan
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    Aug 10th 2020, 6:15 PM

    @Jim Demps: when fit Tommy is could but his ceiling is nowhere near Leavy’s

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Aug 10th 2020, 6:58 PM

    @Jim Demps: I was a big fan of TOD but he’s not really at the highest levels for a while. Hopefully the break will have done him good, recharge the batteries so to speak. Still I don’t think your getting any of leinsters backrows any time soon.

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    Mute Andy Dwyer
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    Aug 10th 2020, 3:56 PM

    That’s a pity for Beirne but hopefully he’ll still be fit to feature before the end of the club season and for Ireland. He’d potentially be a big loss for Ireland with Ryan injured and would have been expected to see some decent gametime.

    There’s a lot of guys on the Munster injury list which is odd considering there has been limited contact training.

    38
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